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Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Gaotai [2025]
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Zhangye Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot
4.7
/5
29360 reviews
8.7
From PHP 744.60
Based on 321 reviews
52.5 km from downtown
Phone +8609365623666
Address: BuildingNo.8, Danxia Road,Linze County, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
World Geopark-level Colorful Zhangye Danxia landform
Danxia landform's seven scenic wonders
Saved by 1062 users23585 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The scenic area opened at 5:30 AM. We entered through the west gate and took the scenic shuttle bus to Observation Deck No. 2. A moment after we climbed to the platform, the first rays of sunlight pierced the valley. Standing on the platform, feeling the breeze, I suddenly understood: romance is patiently waiting for a sunrise, watching the mountains slumber and awaken, feeling ourselves gently embraced by this splendor. We visited Observation Deck No. 3, No. 4, and No. 1 in order. No. 4, the Colorful Danxia, was the most magnificent. The mountains beneath us resembled cascading waves, crimson like cresting flames, bright yellow like surging light, and ochre and blue-gray like the rhythmic hues beneath. Sculpted by the wind for millennia, they still resemble a freshly overturned palette, vibrant and vibrant as if dripping with juice. However, friends who have visited the Colorful Danxia say sunset is even more spectacular.
It was absolutely stunning, absolutely stunning. I originally thought the pictures online were photoshopped and wouldn't be this vibrant in person. But upon arriving, I was stunned and stunned. It was like God had overturned his palette. Locals say the Danxia is most beautiful after rain, and we happened to catch the first clear day after the rain, witnessing the Danxia's most beautiful colors.
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Guan City of Jiayuguan
4.5
/5
14916 reviews
8.2
From PHP 864.70
Based on 172 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609376396110
Address: Jiayuguan, Gansu, China, 735100
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Watch ancient military drills
Ancient military drills in season
Saved by 126 users10344 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Jiayuguan, known as the world's most majestic pass, boasts a rich history and magnificent architecture. Enjoy the Gobi Desert scenery, explore military secrets, and experience customs clearance ceremonies. It's a historical and cultural destination not to be missed on a trip to Northwest China.
The Jiayuguan Pass Scenic Area in Jiayuguan City is located 6 kilometers southwest of downtown Jiayuguan, Gansu Province, in the middle of Jiayuguan's narrowest valley, atop the highest Jiayu Mountain. The city walls on either side of the pass traverse the desert Gobi, connecting to the Black Mountain Hanging Wall Great Wall 8 kilometers to the north and the First Mound under Heaven 7 kilometers to the south. It dominated the western end of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and has been the premier pass in Hexi since ancient times. Construction began in 1372, the fifth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty. From initial construction to completion, the pass took 168 years (1372-1539). It is the most majestic and treacherous of the more than 1,000 passes administered by the nine garrisons along the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and remains remarkably well-preserved.
At the 2018 China Northwest Tourism Marketing Conference and Tourism Equipment Exhibition, it was shortlisted for one of the "100 Magical Northwest Scenic Spots."
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Pingshan Lake Grand Canyon
4.7
/5
2727 reviews
7.6
From PHP 1040.84
Based on 28 reviews
88.7 km from downtown
Phone +8609368830066
Address: Pingshanhu Township Government, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
Panoramic view of stunning canyon
2.5-mile glass walkway overlooks canyon
Saved by 209 users2100 positive reviews
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The canyon scenery was spectacular and truly astounding! The climb to Lingzhi Valley was truly life-threatening, but the view was worth it. The area wasn't crowded in mid-September, making the visit a truly enjoyable experience. Try to go early for better lighting and photography.
As soon as I got off the scenic bus, I was shocked by the scenery in front of me. It was so beautiful that I couldn't record it with my phone or camera. Due to time constraints, I only took Line 1, which took 2.5 hours. In addition, I had to wait for the bus for 40 minutes to go back and forth, so it took a total of 3.5 hours.
No.
4
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Zhangye Buddha Temple
4.7
/5
3933 reviews
7.3
From PHP 304.25
Based on 136 reviews
Dafo Temple | 74.1 km from downtown
Phone +8609368222048
Address: Dafosi Pedestrian Street, Ganzhou District, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Majestic & sacred winter snow景。
Buddha statues & cave carvings
Saved by 102 users2903 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Great Buddha Temple, once a royal temple of the Western Xia Dynasty, boasts a majestic and elegant Great Buddha Hall, housing a 34.5-meter-long reclining Buddha. The walls are adorned with massive murals, some depicting elements from "Journey to the West." Marco Polo also visited the Great Buddha Temple. The temple also serves as a museum, showcasing Buddhist artifacts.
Stepping into Zhangye Dafo Temple, you'll be captivated by the ancient charm of the Western Xia Dynasty. The temple boasts quaint architecture, Asia's largest indoor reclining Buddha, and breathtakingly detailed murals, showcasing its rich historical heritage. It's well worth a visit!
No.
5
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Mati Grottoes Tourism Area
4.6
/5
2087 reviews
7.3
From PHP 416.34
Based on 49 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609368891646
Address: Dadu Ma Town, Sunan County, Zhangye City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
360° glass deck overlooking mountains
Qilian Mountains & Hexi Corridor
Saved by 110 users1316 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Zhangye Bus Station offers a convenient shuttle bus to Mati Temple. After arriving at Mati Temple, take a scenic bus to the central square. From there, walk over 800 meters uphill to the core scenic area, the Thirty-three Days Grottoes. While the grottoes are a bit steep and some sections are only accessible in one direction, the difficulty is manageable. From the central square, take a scenic bus to King Gesar's Hall. This attraction is quite ordinary, so if you're short on time, skip it. Return to the central square and take a scenic bus to the Thousand Buddha Caves. After visiting the caves, walk all the way to the scenic area's exit, a short 200-meter hike with plenty to see along the way.
The stunning Horseshoe Temple, the Thirty-three Days Grottoes and the grassland scenery are a pity that you can no longer drive into the scenic area by yourself. You must take a scenic shuttle bus, which greatly limits the connection and freedom.
No.
6
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Zhuoer Mountain Scenic Area
4.7
/5
3306 reviews
7.1
Based on 23 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609708679114
Address: Behind the central square of Babao Town, Qilian County, Haibei Tibetan
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
Highlights:
360° views: mountains & rivers
Danxia landforms & lush green meadows
1847 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
Zhuoer Mountain is a hilly grassland, opposite to Amidongso, with nice scenery. In addition, the scenic area is also very mature. There is an extra-long elevator going up the mountain and a water slide going down the mountain, which is also very interesting. Overall, it is not very tiring and is suitable for traveling with children.
The scenery is amazing. You can see snow-capped mountains, Danxia, and experience the beauty of clouds on the mountaintops. The problem is that the snow has melted by the time you get there. You can go up on horseback for 160 yuan per person (you can negotiate a price). There are also horse-drawn carriages, and you can take a slide down. If you want a natural and unspoiled experience, you can skip the scenic area. After all, the scenic area is crowded and the views are similar. The scenery along the way is beautiful! You have to queue up to take pictures of the Sky Mirror, and you can't take them yourself! The guy who led the horse was very nice and helped me take pictures, haha!
No.
7
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Silk Road Dreamland
4.8
/5
1997 reviews
6.6
From PHP 2241.80
>100 km from downtown
Phone +864001660006
Address: No.558 Boyuan Road, Xiongguan District, Jiayuguan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Enjoy the Great Wall Love Song and Acrobatic Show
Giant screen showcases 5,000 years of Chinese civilization
1890 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The idea of Silk Road Mythology is very good, and I hope it can be done better. Take the best one, Nuwa mending the sky, for example. The image is relatively clear, while other projects are relatively blurry. However, the plot and linkage design are a bit disconnected and not on the right track. People in the front row will block the view of the back row, and the viewing experience will be further discounted.
The idea behind "Silk Road Divine Painting" is great, but the park's design, game design, and user experience are still far behind those of Disney and Chimelong. The park's facilities, especially the restrooms, need improvement. My only positive thing about the park is that I didn't have to wait in line. I hope Chinese theme parks can continue to improve and become bigger and stronger.
No.
8
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Jiayuguan Fantawild Adventure
4.7
/5
2917 reviews
6.6
From PHP 224.18
Fantawild Adventure | >100 km from downtown
Phone +864001660006
Address: 4111 Fangte Avenue, Nanshi District, Jiayuguan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
1938 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
As one of the largest and most distinctive theme parks in Northwest China, the Jiayuguan Fantawild Tourist Area has received excellent reviews overall. It comprises two parks, Fantawild Happy World and Fantawild Silk Road Magical Paintings, each offering distinct experiences.
Below, I've outlined their key features and some recommended attractions to help you better understand and plan your trip.
🌵 Overview of the Jiayuguan Fantawild Tourist Area
Features: Fantawild Happy World, Fantawild Silk Road Magic Paintings
Theme: Modern technology, thrilling experiences, Silk Road culture, myths and legends, family-friendly
Target audience: Young people, thrill seekers, families, culture enthusiasts, all ages
Representative attractions: Fire Meteor (roller coaster), Over the Limit, Tanggula Snow Mountain, Nuwa Mending the Sky, Silk Road Adventures, Meng Jiangnu (theater performance)
Thrill level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥🔥🔥
Cultural connotation: 🌟🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Family-friendly: 🌟🌟🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Suitable time: All day
🎢 Enjoy Fantawild
The Jiayuguan Fantawild Tourist Area consists of two main theme parks:
· Fantawild Happy World: This park emphasizes modern technology and thrills, boasting numerous large-scale outdoor attractions and high-tech indoor rides, including the "Fireball" roller coaster, the immersive "Flying Over the Limit" high-altitude ride, the magical "Magic Castle" journey, and the thrilling "Tanggula Snow Mountain" safari. If you're looking for a thrilling ride, this is the perfect place for you.
· Fantawild Silk Road: This park is themed around the Silk Road culture and traditional Chinese mythology, perfect for families and cultural enthusiasts. Here, you can experience mythical adventures like "Nuwa Mending the Sky," experience exotic customs with "Silk Road Adventures," watch spectacular theatrical performances like "Meng Jiangnu" (including the stunning "Program-Controlled Magic Bricks" technology), and enjoy water activities like "Yu the Great Taming the Flood."
🎇 Don't forget the nighttime activities: The tourist area opens at night during certain seasons (such as summer and holidays), offering fireworks shows, drone demonstrations, and more. The scenery and atmosphere at night are completely different.
📌 Useful Information
· Ticket Prices:
· A standard ticket to Fantawild Adventure is approximately 240 yuan.
I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of attractions at Fantawild Happy World in Jiayuguan. They were incredibly fun, especially for the kids. I had a blast myself, and it's highly recommended.
No.
9
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Dongfeng Aerospace City
4.6
/5
317 reviews
6.5
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613085968126
Address: 阿拉善盟额济纳旗航天路中国酒泉卫星发射中心
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Space-themed street & rocket lights
Astronaut training & China's space history
170 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
The Aerospace City is great. We met at 9 am and ended around 4 pm. The meeting point was at the entrance of the tourist center. We needed to hand in our ID and fill out a confidentiality agreement. Once inside, we could get up close and personal with many "real things," and history came alive. It's very large, and you need to take a shuttle bus. The girl who gave the tour was good, but some spots require luck. The cemetery was not open this time, which was a pity. Overall, it's a great place for patriotic education.
It is worth learning here. Bringing my child here to experience the difficulty of my country's aerospace construction and development is also a dream of mine. It is really good, but you must strictly abide by the relevant visiting regulations. An unforgettable trip will surely affect your child's life!
No.
10
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Qinghai Lake Heima River
4.5
/5
54 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613309749827
Address: 共和县109国道黑马河镇人民政府东北1700米
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
71% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
During the May Day holiday, we took the Qinghai Small Loop Line and ended our trip at Laji Mountain to Qinghai Lake. From a distance, Qinghai Lake looked like a layer of blue paint on the horizon. When we arrived at the Heimahe Scenic Area, there was a group of seagulls (a certain type of bird) flying around the tourists. Except for the strong wind, which required us to keep warm, everything else was beautiful and comfortable.
Heimahe is a scenic spot beside Qinghai Lake, with magnificent sunrises and sunsets, bright starry sky, rich Tibetan folk customs, and convenient transportation and accommodation. It is a good place for sightseeing, photography and experience.
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